The River
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I
I finished work at noon on Friday and headed home to pack
Put my gear in the trunk and put my canoe on the roof rack
Headed out down the freeway and got off at exit seven
The weekend was now mine and I'd be in seventh heaven.
The river that I was heading for I'd never paddled before
I was told it was a challenge and many went back for more
It was the scenic Black Foot river in the state of Idaho
And in the canoeing community, it was the place to go.
I wanted to take advantage of the remaining daylight
But I had a sense of foreboding that something wasn't right
Placed my gear in the canoe and then headed downstream
And soon forgot about the foreboding ; I was living the dream.
I was enjoying the scenery, paddling at a relaxed pace
A couple of times I had to remind myself it wasn't a race
Then I started to speed up there was some rapids up ahead
Straight through the middle, that's what the guide book said.
A freak current pushed me to the right and I then hit a rock
I was not expecting it and it gave me quite a shock
Without warning it capsized and I hadn't taken a deep breath
I knew I was in big trouble and thought is this my death?.
I was gasping for air and then on a rock banged my head
I thought this is it my life over, I'm going to end up dead
A feeling of peace came over me and then I started to fade
And started praying to God for all the mistakes I had made.
Then I was aware of someone grabbing me and pulling me out
"I've got you" above the roar of the river I heard a man shout
I saw it was a policeman and his name badge said 'Eldred'
Then I passed out and the next I knew I was in a hospital bed.
The doctor said I'd been out two days and had mild concussion
And had deep cuts on my forehead that needed attention
One of the paramedics who found me on the side of the riverbank
Told me that someone had called it in and it's them I should thank.
Then it started to come back to me, the policeman at the scene
I said " It was a policeman who got me out, I know who you mean"
The paramedic looked surprised and said " No cops were there
But whoever it was who called it in told us exactly where".
Was this some dream I asked myself, had I been hallucinating
But I know someone got me out and prevented me from dying
Two days later the doctor discharged me and I was free to go
But I was determined to find that policeman , I just had to know.
I recovered my car from where I'd left it and drove into town
Found the local precinct in the high street went in and sat down
There were a few others waiting then the sergeant called me
I said "I owe Officer Eldred my life and it's him I'd like to see".
He then said " Eldred was a good guy he was one of the best
And it's been over a month now since we laid him to rest
He'd been fishing at the Black Foot river and fell in and drowned
Seems he'd had a heart attack, that's what the coroner found".
"You've gone very pale" the sergeant said, he asked was I okay
I just stared at him in total disbelief , and I didn't know what to say
I came to and thanked him, I was in shock but now I know
That the man who saved my life, was Officer Eldred my hero.
Written 25th August 2021.
Your Favorite August 2021 Poem- Poetry Contest
Sponsored by Constance La France.
Copyright © Tom Cunningham | Year Posted 2021
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